With its modern hinged show, pen assist and complete specs, the Floor Laptop computer Studio is a singular PC. In some methods, this can be a jack of all trades however a grasp of no system. And now a sequel has arrived that packs a much-needed spec increase and provides some long-requested options together with a microSD card slot.

Now, some folks could also be dismayed to see that the outside look of the just-announced Floor Laptop computer Studio 2 is essentially unchanged. However as somebody who’s been utilizing the earlier mannequin as my major journey pocket book for the previous couple of years, I am not all that bothered. You continue to get clear, easy traces together with a 14.4-inch 2400 x 1600 120Hz PixelSense show that tilts like a stand. I am additionally glad to see some small quirks just like the two-tier return base, which retains the system’s slots cleverly hidden and away from the perimeters of the system whereas additionally providing a shelf for the Floor Slim Pen 2 to carry onto.

Nonetheless, alongside the edges are some crucial updates: a brand new USB-A port and a microSD card slot. That is the primary time both of those choices have been obtainable on this line, and whereas it could not look like an enormous deal, for a system geared towards artists and content material creators, this variation represents a big high quality of life improve. Simply with the ability to shortly switch photographs out of your digital camera to your laptop computer with out the necessity for a cable or adapter is extraordinarily helpful. And with the addition of a USB-A port alongside two Thunderbolt 4 USB-C sockets, there is a good likelihood you’ll depart all of your dongles at house with out sacrificing connectivity.

There are additionally some refined design modifications together with a brand new aluminum chassis as a substitute of magnesium as on the unique. This leads to a barely thicker physique (only one or 2 mm), a extra silvery colour and a smoother end.

As for efficiency, I actually just like the up to date parts of the Floor Laptop computer Studio 2. Even at launch, the unique appeared considerably underpowered on account of a mediocre quad-core chip regardless of being touted as Microsoft’s strongest laptop computer. However now, with assist for as much as an Intel Core i7-13800H chip, 64GB of RAM, 2TB of storage, and an RTX 4060 GPU (or RTX 2000 in industrial fashions), this successor seems to be like A extra rounded machine. It is definitely not as quick as a equally priced gaming laptop computer, neither is it fairly as skinny as a typical 14-inch laptop computer. Nonetheless, the mix of a high-resolution touchscreen with pen integration and up to date specs presents extra versatility than nearly all of its opponents.

One current huge change is the addition of Microsoft’s Adaptive Contact characteristic, which supplies elevated accessibility. The know-how makes use of a brand new contact algorithm that makes it simpler for folks with totally different skills to navigate with a mouse and use a touchpad. Though I could not get a lot use out of it, I recognize how simple it’s to make use of. All it’s a must to do is open the Floor app and you will instantly see choices to allow Adaptive Contact and alter issues like faucet sensitivity and double-tap pace.

To make sure, there aren’t plenty of main modifications to the Floor Laptop computer Studio 2 aside from up to date specs and a few new ports. However I believe that is factor, as a result of this looks like a case of not tinkering with a design that is already been examined and continues to be very modern. The primary downside is that with a beginning value of $1,999, Microsoft’s newest flagship laptop computer prices considerably greater than a typical 14-inch competitor. However that will simply be the price of a system that may do plenty of all the pieces.

The Floor Laptop computer Studio 2 will go on sale on October 3.

Comply with all of the information stay from the Microsoft Floor 2023 occasion right here.